Equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns an equipment module ( 22 ) for a motor vehicle opening panel ( 12 ) comprising in particular an interior door trim element ( 42 ) and an outer cladding ( 14 ) comprising a structural element ( 20 ) whereon are directly mounted accessories internal to the opening panel ( 12 ), characterized in that the structural element ( 20 ) consists of the inner door trim ( 42 ).

BACKGROUND

This invention concerns an equipment module for a motor vehicle openingpanel comprising a structural element on which accessories internal tothe opening are directly mounted.

Numerous accessories can be attached onto the opening panel of a motorvehicle, in particular on the rear hatchback. In that way, the openingpanel can support, in addition to its closing and locking system, anelectric motor.

When the opening panel is the rear hatchback of the vehicle, theelectric motor allows control of a wiper. The rear hatchback can alsosupport positioning means, in a parked position, a wiper arm, a licenseplate, and lighting systems, but also, eventually the third required“brake” light, or even all or part of the rear signal light blocks.

When the opening panel is a door of the vehicle the electric motor canallow the control of the movement of raising and lowering a window.

All the accessories, which are naturally produced independent of thebody piece that makes up the opening panel, must thus be mounted on thisopening panel during the assembly of the vehicle. Yet the multiplicationof accessories creates an increase of mounting time and multiplies therisks of mounting error, in particular positioning.

In addition, it is necessary to allow for each of the electricaccessories, first the electric power supply and, second, means tocontrol these accessories, and finally surveillance means that allow, inparticular, one to be informed of the functioning state of theaccessories either by the driver, for example via the intermediary ofwarning lamps on the dashboard, or by a central electronic managementunit of the vehicle.

These multiple connections, for which it is necessary to provide on theassembly line of the vehicle, are possible sources of breakdown and itis thus necessary to verify them after assembly.

As one can state, the multiplication of the electric accessories borneby an opening panel of the vehicle can lead to a significant increase inthe total assembly time of this opening panel.

It is common knowledge how to assemble accessories on the structuralelement then to attach this structure onto the corresponding openingpanel. Next an interior door trim element covers the structural elementin order to hide it. This necessitates a number of significantoperations.

SUMMARY

With the goal of diminishing the assembly time as well as the number ofelements to be assembled, the invention proposes an equipment module fora motor vehicle opening panel comprising, in particular, an interiordoor trim element and an outer cladding of the type that comprises astructural element on which internal accessories are mounted to theopening panel, characterized in that the structural element is made upof the interior door trim element.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

-   -   the interior door trim element is made of an electric isolating        material and is molded around at least one lead or cable in an        electrically conductive material for the electric power supply,        at least one accessory borne by the interior door trim element,        or for the exchange of signals with this element;    -   the module comprises at least one electric power supply        connector of the module the body of which is molded with the        interior door trim element and which is linked electrically to a        first end of at least one electric power supply lead;    -   the module comprises only one power supply connection for all        the electric power supply leads of the module;    -   the module comprises at least one electric power supply        connection of at least one accessory the body of which is molded        with the interior door trim element and which is electrically        linked to a second end of at least one electric power supply        lead of at least one accessory;    -   the module comprises at least one assembly and/or mounting        element of at least one accessory which is molded with the        interior door trim element;    -   one of the accessories comprises a light source;    -   the light source comprises a rear signal fight, in particular, a        brake signal light, a turn signal, a reverse light, or an        anti-fog light, or part of such a light;    -   the rear signal light is pushed against the interior face of a        rear window borne by a rear opening panel of the motor vehicle,        in particular, with interposition of a joint or pushes against        the curve of the opening of an outer cladding;    -   the interior door trim element comprises means of regulating the        position of the rear signal light in relation to the interior        face of the rear window or of an opening of an outer cladding of        an opening panel;    -   the light source comprises a lighting block for the exterior of        the vehicle, such as a light block of the license plate;    -   an accessory comprises a drive motor of a wiper device;    -   an accessory comprises a control element of the opening panel,        such as a handle;    -   an accessory comprises a locking element of the opening;    -   at least one of the accessories, such as the outlet shaft of the        drive motor of the wiper device and/or a control element of the        opening of the opening panel, is accessible from the exterior of        the vehicle across from an opening pierced in an outer cladding        of the opening of the vehicle or across from a window;    -   an accessory comprises an electronic vision system, in        particular, a camera which is oriented towards the exterior of        the vehicle and which furnishes representative information of        the exterior environment situated opposite the electronic vision        system;    -   the representative information of the exterior environment is        treated by a treatment system, that is transmitted to a display        device on board the vehicle which furnishes a representative        image of the exterior environment opposite the electronic vision        system;    -   the representative information of the exterior environment is        furnished to a treating system which determines at least one        parameter relative to an object in the exterior environment,        such as the relative speed or the distance between the object        and the vehicle;    -   the object is another vehicle;    -   the electronic vision system is situated in the interior of the        vehicle cabin opposite from a transparent wall borne by the        opening panel, such as a window;    -   the electronic vision system is in the interior of the opening        panel structure, and an opening is pierced in an outer cladding        of the opening in order to allow viewing of the electronic        vision system;    -   the interior door trim element is in the form of a rectangular        plate, the central part of which comprises an attachment zone of        at least one accessory which is made up of at least one        partition demarcating at least one chamber designed to receive        at least one accessory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in thereading of the detailed description which follows, for the comprehensionof which one will refer to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rear opening panel and anequipment module according to a first production method of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, similar to that represented in FIG. 1,depicting the equipment module being mounted on the rear opening panel;and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that represented in FIG. 1, the equipmentmodule being produced according to a second production method of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, in order to facilitate its comprehension,one will use, in a non-limiting manner, the terms horizontal, lower,upper, front, and rear in reference to FIG. 1, in particular, to itsorientation from right to left.

In the following description, identical or similar elements will bedesignated by the same reference numbers.

FIG. 1 represents the rear part 10 of a motor vehicle and, morespecifically, a rear opening panel or rear hatchback.

The rear opening panel 12 comprises an outer cladding or body 14 whichis reinforced on its front face oriented towards the interior of thevehicle via jambs 16. The rear opening panel 12 is mobile in rotationaround an axis X, here horizontal, between an open position and closedposition.

A window or rear window 18 is mounted in an opening situated in theupper part of the opening panel 12.

The rear opening panel 12 is also made up of a door trim element 42 ofthe interior of the trunk or the cabin of the vehicle which is assembledon the lower part of the opening panel 12. The door trim element 42assures the aesthetics of the unit of the interior of the vehicle.

A structural element 20 bears equipment accessories of the motorvehicle, the ensemble thus created being called the equipment module 22of the vehicle. The module 22 is received on the lower part of theopening panel 12. The structural element 20 bears a wiper device for thewiping of the rear window 18, the drive head of which is borne by adrive shaft 24 supported by a bearing or shaft 26 which crosses apassage aperture 28 formed in the outer cladding 14 or in an openingformed in the window 18 while the structural element 20 is attached ontothe rear opening panel 12.

The equipment module 22 of the rear opening panel of the motor vehiclehere comprises other accessories, in particular, a motor or reductionmotor 30 of the drive shaft 24 of the wiper device, light sources, anopening handle 32 of the opening panel 12, as well as an opticelectronic vision system 36, such as a camera. Here, the light sourcesconsist of a rear signal light, such as a signal light for brakingcalled a brake light 38, and a light block 40 of the interior of thecabin and/or trunk of the vehicle.

Also, the locking device 34 is electrically controlled via the openinghandle 32 of the opening panel 12.

In FIG. 1, the lighting block 40 is shown disassembled from thestructural element 20.

The light sources can also consist of a turn signal, a reverse light,and/or an anti-fog light. A light source can also comprise a light block(not represented) for the vehicle's exterior, such as a light block forthe license plate.

In order for the opening handle 32 of the opening panel 12 as well asthe optical electronic vision system 36 to be accessible from theexterior of the vehicle, the openings 41 are pierced in an outercladding 14 of the opening panel 12 of the vehicle.

According to the invention, the structural element 20 is made up of thedoor trim element 42 of the interior of the trunk or the cabin of thevehicle.

FIG. 1 represents the rear opening panel 12 before the door trim element42 according to a first production method is assembled. The door trimelement 42 is in a rectangular form, the central part of which comprisesan attachment zone 43 for accessories. In this way, the brake light 38,the light block 40 and the motor 30 are mounted on only one piece madeup of the interior door trim element 42 of the trunk or the cabin of thevehicle.

The assembly of the equipment module 22 is thus simplified in relationto the state of the art. In effect, the module 22 comprises one singlepiece first assuring the aesthetics of the unit of the interior of thevehicle and, second, the support of the accessories.

The interior door trim element 42 comprises on its rear wall 45 rigidityelements. The interior door trim element 42 is produced via molding anelectrically insulating material, for example a plastic material.

An opening 49 represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, is produced in the interiordoor trim element 42 in such a way that the luminous face of the lightblock 40 crosses the interior door trim element 42 to light the interiorof the cabin and/or the trunk of the vehicle.

In a similar manner, an opening 51 allows the passage of, first, thehanging part of the locking device 34 of the opening panel 12 across theinterior door trim element 42. The hanging part allows the locking ofthe rear opening panel 12, in a closed position, onto a complementaryzone opposite the structure of the vehicle.

The interior door trim element 42 is advantageously molded around atleast one lead or cable 44 (represented by dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and3) in an electrically conductive material so that the electric powersupply of the accessories borne by the structural element 20, such asthe drive motor 30, the brake light 38, the light block 40 of theinterior of the cabin and/or the trunk of the vehicle, and the lockingdevice 34 is provided.

The leads 44, which can comprise conductive metal bands, also allow theexchange of signals between the accessories and an electric orelectrical device (not represented) which can comprise surveillancemeans of the accessories. The conductive leads 44 can be produced indifferent materials or comprise different sections according to themagnitude of the current that each carries. In effect, the section of aconductive lead 44 and/or the nature of the material making it up can bedifferent according to whether it supplies the power circuit of themotor 30 or if it permits the exchange of signals between theaccessories and an electric device. The utilization of such conductiveleads 44 embedded in the interior door trim element 42 is viable, veryeconomical and simple to put into place.

An electric connector 46 allows electrical supplying power to theaccessories. Here, it is linked to two leads 44 via an electric thread48.

According to a production variation, the body of the electric connector46 can be molded with the interior door trim element 42. The electricconnector 46 comprises conductive elements 50 which are electricallylinked to a first end of the electric power supply leads 44 of theaccessories, here via the thread 48.

While the accessories are assembled onto the equipment module 22, it iseasy to verify the functioning, via the electric connector branching 46,onto a complementary test connector. Eventual disfunctions are thusquickly and easily detected.

During the mounting of the equipment module 22 in the rear opening panel12 of motor vehicle, the electric connector 46 cooperates with acomplementary electric connector 52 which is attached onto the rearopening panel 12 and which permits the electric power supply of theleads 44 and the accessories from the general electric current of thevehicle. The electric connectors 46 and 52 thus allow assurance theexchange of signals between the accessories and electric or electronicdevices of the vehicle.

In addition, the electric connection of all of the accessories isobtained via branching of the only electric connector 46. This allowsoptimization of assembly time of the equipment module 22 of the openingpanel 12.

In a similar manner, the interior door trim 42 comprises an electricpower supply connection 54 for each of the electric accessories of theequipment module 22. The body of the connections 54 of preferably moldedwith the interior door trim element 42. Each accessory comprises aconnection complementary to each connection 54 of the interior door trimelement 42 which permits electrically linking each accessory to anelectric power supply lead 44.

The interior door trim element 42 comprises, in addition, the elementsfor mounting and/or attachment of the accessories. The elements 56consist, for example, of a system of elastic fitting. Mounting screwscan be added, in such a way as to remove all risk of accidental removalof an accessory. Such an element 56 of a mounting and/or attachment typeof accessories allows facilitating the assembly of the equipment module22, and by consequence, diminishing its time and cost.

Advantageously, the electric power supply connections 54 as well as themounting and/or attachment elements 56 of the accessories are identical.The electric connection as well as the mounting and/or attachment of theaccessories onto the interior door trim element 42 are standardized.

It is thus possible to easily assemble onto the interior door trimelement 42 a different accessory, according to the equipment level ofthe vehicle.

The interior door trim element 42 integrates of mounting and/orattachment elements 56 of the accessories, as well as the leads 44 andthe electric power supply connections 54 of the accessories. It can alsointegrate the electric connector 46. Such a door trim element 42facilitates the assembly of the accessories of the module 22.

In order to assure an optimal efficiency of the rear signal light 38,that is to say, emission of a maximum of light towards the exterior ofthe vehicle, it is preferable to block dust from entry between theinterior face of the window 18 and the rear signal light 38. To thiseffect, the rear signal light 38 is preferably pushing against theinterior face of the rear window 18 borne by the rear opening panel 12of the motor vehicle. In addition, an annular-shaped joint 64 isinterposed between the periphery of the light 38 and the interior faceof the window 18 in such a way as to assure water tightness.

However, the dimensional tolerance of the different pieces, inparticular, the position of the attachment of the equipment module 22onto the outer cladding 14, is sometimes too significant to assure thejoint contact 64 with the interior face of the window 18. In this way,so that the joint contact 64 is always in contact with first theperiphery of the rear signal light 38 and with the interior face of thewindow 18, the equipment module 22 comprises regulating means, notrepresented, the longitudinal position of the signal light 38.

It is possible to interpose a spring between the interior door trimelement 42 and the signal light 38. Thus, while the equipment module 22is attached onto the rear opening panel 12, the spring allows permanentapplication on the front face of the signal light 38 of a longitudinalforce in the direction of the window 18.

The optical electronic vision system 36 is oriented towards the rear ofthe vehicle. It furnishes representative information of the exteriorenvironment situated across from it. In order to protect the electronicvision system 36, in particular, from dirt and the projection ofelements, such as gravel, a transparent protection hood, notrepresented, is attached between the exterior of the vehicle and theelectronic vision system 36.

A shock absorbing element, also not represented, can be interposedbetween the electronic vision system 36 and the interior door trimelement 42 in order to absorb vibrations of the rear opening panel insuch a way such that the electronic vision electronic 36 is in the moststable possible position and furnishes to the user precise information.

During the assembly of the equipment module 20 with the rear openingpanel 12, the water tight seal at the level of the opening 41corresponding to the outer cladding 14 of the rear opening panel 12 isobtained by arrangement of a joint, not represented, in a circular shapein a groove created for this purpose in a rear side support of theprotection hood. Thus, during the attachment of the equipment module 22onto the rear opening panel 12, the joint is squeezed between the frontface of the outer cladding 14 and the groove of the protection hood.

The embedded leads 44, to which the electronic vision system 36 iselectrically attached, permit the supply of electric power to it, butalso permit it to transmit representative information of the exteriorenvironment to a treating system, which then transmits treatedinformation to a display device on board the vehicle.

The display device furnishes a representative image of the exteriorenvironment opposite the electronic vision system 36. Thus, the displaydevice such as a control screen, furnishes to the driver a view of theenvironment found at the rear of the vehicle. Such an electronic visionsystem 38 associated with the display device permits, for example,replacement of the interior rear-view mirror of the vehicle.

The treatment system can also determine a parameter relative to anobject in the exterior environment. The object can be another stopped ormoving vehicle.

The parameter can be the relative speed or distance between the objectand the vehicle. The electronic vision system 36 allows, in this way,helping the driver during a maneuver, in particular, during parallelparking, by indicating to him the distance that separates the rear endof his vehicle and the object situated at the rear of the vehicle.

According to a variant, the electronic vision system 36 can be receivedin the casing of the brake light 38.

According to another variant, an accessory comprises a rain and/or frostand/or dirt sensor which allows detection of the presence of rain and/orfrost on the external face of the outer cladding 14 and/or the window18. The rain and/or frost sensor can be assembled onto the interior doortrim element 42 in the place of the electronic vision system 36 or at adifferent place not represented.

According to a second production method represented on FIG. 3, theattachment zone 43 comprises a partition 58 that demarcates the chambers60 designed to receive the accessories. In addition to separating theaccessories between them, the partitions 58 allow rigidifying theinterior door trim element 42.

The invention allows the use of a unique type of interior door trimelement and assembly of the accessories as a function at the level ofthe equipping of the constructed vehicle. The stocking, development, andproduction costs of the interior door trim element 42 are thussignificantly diminished.

1. An equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel formed of aninterior door trim element and an outer cladding including a structuralelement whereon are directly mounted accessories internal to the openingpanel, characterized in that the structural element is the inner doortrim, and further characterized in that the interior door trim elementis formed of an electrical insulating material and mounted around of atleast one lead in an electrically conductive material for an electricpower supply, at least one accessory borne by the interior door trimelement, and for the exchange of signals with the door trim element. 2.The equipment module according to claim 1, characterized in at least oneelectric power supply connector of the module, a connector body of whichis molded with the interior door trim element and which is electricallylinked to a first end of at least one electric power supply lead.
 3. Theequipment module according to claim 2, characterized in only one powersupply connect exists for all the electric power supply leads of themodule.
 4. An equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel formedof an interior door trim element and an outer cladding including astructural element whereon are directly mounted accessories internal tothe opening panel, characterized in that the structural element is theinner door trim, and further characterized in that at least one electricpower supply connection exists for at least one accessory, a connectorbody of which is molded with the interior door trim element and which iselectrically linked to a second end of at least one electric powersupply lead of the at least one accessory.
 5. The equipment moduleaccording to claim 4, characterized in that at least one mountingelement of at least one accessory is molded with the interior door trimelement.
 6. An equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel formedof an interior door trim element and an outer cladding including astructural element whereon are directly mounted accessories internal tothe opening panel, characterized in that the structural element is theinner door trim, and further characterized in that one of theaccessories comprises a light source.
 7. The equipment module accordingto claim 6, characterized in that the light source comprises a lightblock for the interior of one of a cabin and a trunk of the vehicle. 8.The equipment module according to claim 6, characterized in that thelight source comprises a rear signal light, in particular a brake light,a turn signal, a reverse light or an anti-fog light, or part of such alight.
 9. The equipment module according to claim 8, characterized inthat the rear signal light is pushed against the interior face of a rearwindow borne by a rear opening panel of a motor vehicle.
 10. Theequipment module according to claim 8, characterized in that theinterior door trim element comprises regulating means for the positionof the rear signal light in relation to one of the interior face of therear window and of an opening in the outer cladding of an opening panel.11. The equipment module according to claim 6, characterized in that thelight source comprises a light block for the exterior of the vehicle.12. An equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel formed of aninterior door trim element and an outer cladding including a structuralelement whereon are directly mounted accessories internal to the openingpanel, characterized in that the structural element is the inner doortrim, and further characterized in that an accessory comprises a drivemotor for a wiper device.
 13. The equipment module according to claim12, characterized in that an accessory comprises a control element forthe opening of the opening panel.
 14. The equipment module according toclaim 12, characterized in that an accessory comprises a locking elementfor the opening of the panel.
 15. The equipment module according toclaim 12, characterized in that at least one of the accessories isaccessible from the exterior of the vehicle across from an openingformed in the outer cladding of the opening panel of the vehicle acrossfrom a window.
 16. An equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panelformed of an interior door trim element and an outer cladding includinga structural element whereon are directly mounted accessories internalto the opening panel, characterized in that the structural element isthe inner door trim, and further characterized in that an accessorycomprises an electronic vision system, which is oriented towards theexterior of the vehicle and which furnishes representative informationof the exterior environment situated opposite from the electronic visionsystem.
 17. The equipment module according to claim 16, characterized inthat the representative information of the exterior environment istreated by a treating system and transmitted to a display device in thevehicle which furnishes a representative image of the exteriorenvironment opposite from the electronic vision system.
 18. Theequipment module according to claim 16, characterized in that therepresentative information of the exterior environment is furnished to atreating system which determines at least one parameter relative to anobject in the exterior environment.
 19. The equipment module accordingto claim 18, characterized in that the object is another vehicle. 20.The equipment module according to claim 16, characterized in that theelectronic vision system is disposed in the interior of a cabin of thevehicle opposite from a transparent opening carried by the openingpanel.
 21. The equipment module according to claim 16, characterized inthat the electronic vision system is disposed in the interior of theopening panel structure, and in that an opening is formed in the outercladding of the opening panel in order to view the electronic visionsystem.
 22. An equipment module for a motor vehicle opening panel formedof an interior door trim element and an outer cladding including astructural element whereon are directly mounted accessories internal tothe opening panel, characterized in that the structural element is theinner door trim, and further characterized in that the interior doortrim element is in the shape of a rectangular plate, a central part ofwhich comprises a mounting zone of at least one accessory whichcomprises at least one partition demarcating at least one chamberdesigned to receive the at least one accessory.
 23. The equipment moduleof claim 9, characterized in that the rear signal light is pushedagainst one of the interior face of the rear window and the contour ofthe opening of an outer cladding by interposition of a joint.